The Madison-Hills Paleoecology Project ("MPEP")

Introduction

The MPEP is a privately funded endeavor that will drill and sample the layers of soft sediment that have accumulated in the deepest part of Big Pea Porridge Pond ("BPPP") in Madison, New Hampshire during the past +/- 14,000 years. The purpose of the work is to scientifically analyze, technically describe/catalogue, and radiocarbon/proxy date these progressively deposited materials to establish the ecologic change-sequence history of the Pond's basin since the departure of the last ice sheet. The work described above will begin in late January or early February 2008 and be completed by late Spring or Summer 2008.

Scientific Basis of the MPEP

Lake-bottom sediments represent the most continuously detailed records of post-glacial (Pleistocene to Holocene) climate and environmental change available, and such records provide the best long term context for the dramatic physical and biological/ecological changes that have occurred during what has become to be known as the "Anthropocene" period (time since the beginning of extensive human habitation).

Who's Involved

The scientific staff of MPEP includes the following individuals, all of whom are donating their professional expertise to the project:

P. Thompson Davis, Ph.D., Dept. of Natural & Applied Sciences, Bentley College.
Brian Fowler, Quaternary Scientist, Project Director.
Lee Pollock, Ph.D., Dept. of Biology, Drew University.
Lisa Doner, Ph.D., Center for the Environmental, Plymouth State University



Friday, March 14, 2008

Scientific Information Posting No. 10

DRILLING/SAMPLING ROUND 2 IS SCHEDULED

After some further confusion created by this winter's frequently-stormy weather pattern, we've scheduled the continuation of last Tuesday's drilling and sampling for next Monday, March 17th. We hope the "luck of the Irish" will prevail and we'll be able to complete the drilling down to the bottom of the Pond's basin that day. The weather is forecast to be fair with temperature around 40, so conditions will be right for the work. We left the drilling platform and outer casing in place out at the deepest spot last Tuesday evening, and we will reoccupy those facilities early Monday morning. As before, we'll get information up here on the blog as soon as we can after we complete what will likely be a long day on the ice.

If you'd like to get involved, we could use some help carrying equipment and supplies out to the platform in the morning and then bringing it back to shore in late afternoon ("many hands make light work"). Your help will be appreciated, especially by the "older backs" among us on the project team. There's nothing very heavy involved, just lots of it. Those who come along will undoubtedly become part of the project photographic and video record, and it is likely that some refreshment and nourishment may also be offered in thanks for the help (watch for the next "Social Posting"). If you'd like to volunteer, please give Betsy or Sylvia a call to let us know you're coming (447-5077 / 447-2333). Thanks in advance!
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